Find Your Suppliers

Choosing what to sell is only half the battle. Now you need to figure out where your product will actually come from. This is where many first-time entrepreneurs stumble—because the internet is full of supplier directories that look shiny on the surface but hide a mess underneath.

Platforms like Alibaba, Global Sources, and DHgate list thousands of manufacturers, but most aren’t vetted. Many are middlemen, some inflate their capabilities, and yes—scammers are common. You’ll see tricks like:

• AI-generated product photos that don’t match what they actually produce.
• Layers of middlemen, each taking a cut, so you never know who’s really making your product.
• Premium products reserved for “favorite clients,” while new customers get downgraded versions.
• Orders quietly handed off to lower-tier subcontractors, so quality tanks without warning.

Posting in supplier forums or replying to random messages is even worse. When you don’t know who you’re dealing with, you risk poor quality, missed deadlines, and wasted money.

The rule is simple: never rely on anonymous forms or faceless listings. The safest route is to work with suppliers who have been vetted and come with warm points of contact. That means:

• Finding vetted supplier directories that review and rate their members.
• Joining trade associations or industry groups where suppliers are screened.
• Asking for referrals from other entrepreneurs who’ve already ordered successfully.
• Making sure you can reach a real person—someone with a track record, reviews, and accountability.

A supplier isn’t just someone who makes your product. They’re a partner in your brand’s reputation. If they cut corners, you pay the price. Choose carefully, and you’ll have a foundation that scales smoothly instead of collapsing under poor quality.